Devonport Domain’s T20 showcase — the first women’s domestic fixture at the ground since 2002 — proved a winner for home team the Auckland Hearts.
Auckland Hearts 143 for five in 20 overs (Anna Peterson 31, Sara McGlashan 28, Katie Perkins 32; Mikaela Greig 3-33) beat the Central Hinds 101 for six (Kelly Rangi 38) by 42 runs at Devonport Domain, North Shore, Auckland on 2 December 2016
Scorecard
Opening up the batting after being sent in, Anna Peterson got the ball rolling with a punchy 31 off 37 before she was run out in the 13th over, having shared a 44-run stand for the second wicket with Sara McGlashan (28 off 24). WHITE FERNS dynamo Katie Perkins then quickly built on the platform with a handy 32 off just 22 balls, before a horror couple of overs at the death added to the Central Hinds’ discomfort.
Maddy Green and Holly Huddleston.
Medium pacer Michelle McKay (née Bunkall) gave away three wides in the penultimate over before Holly Huddleston (17* off 12) pounced on her last two deliveries to slap a six and a four, Huddleston and Lauren Down (18* off 19) blasting 18 valuable runs from the over in all.
Roz Mair then conceded double figures off the final over, too, the Hearts surging out to 143 for five in their 20, despite Mikaela Grieg picking up 3-33.
Holly Huddleston charges in. Image: www.photosport.nz
Needing a run rate of 7.20, the Hinds needed a strong start in response, but regular wickets derailed their chase early.
The Central Hinds celebrate a wicket.
Despite a T20 career best 38 off 34 balls from their number six Kelly Rangi, they were left facing a near-insurmountable task by the death as the Hearts closed in for a handsome 42-run win. The Aucklanders now lead the overall points table on net run rate, their six points otherwise equal with Northern Spirit and defending champions the Canterbury Magicians.
Points table after round two
Tomorrow, and again on Sunday, the Hearts and Hinds will meet in rounds three and four of the national Women’s One-Day Competition, but the venue now shifts to central Auckland’s Melville Park. Matches will be livescored at www.blackcaps.co.nz from 10.30am on Saturday and 10.00am on Sunday. Entry to all matches is free admission.
